Word Workers adopts a phonic approach to learning to read. Students learn how to ascribe sounds to letters, and how to apply the regularities in letter-sound relationships by following generalised rules. Word Workers Book 1: Phonemic awareness is the essential precondition for successful reading acquisition. In this book students are taught to discriminate vowel and consonant sounds in words.

They are also introduced to the basic sight words needed to work with Word Workers Book 2. Simple blending techniques are introduced once students master vowel and consonant sounds. Students expand their phonemic awareness skills to include transitional elements to prepare them for the next stage in their reading acquisition. They are expected to recognise letter-sound relationships and write letters for the sounds they hear. Students are also expected to demonstrate alphabet knowledge as well as to continue to add to their knowledge of basic sight vocabulary. Blending skills are consolidated and refined.